The rich populate Elysium, a satellite utopia of clean-cut modern architecture, plush gardens and universal immortality. The Secretary of Defence epitomizes the utilitarian ruler, leaving her own garden party to shoot down a few rogue immigrant shuttles.

Investors were clearly thinking along traditional lines last week and wanted Romney, but the Obama victory doesn't have to be such a bad result for them. Chances of reaching a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff have increased a little bit with the outcome of these elections. And the outlook for getting to a more comprehensive agreement on getting back on a healthy fiscal track have improved somewhat with a second-term president and less power for the Tea Party.